Helically coiled washer strip and method of and apparatus for producing same



l1g 30, 1955 o. .1. PoUPlTcH 2,716

HELICALLY COILED WASHER STRIP AND METHOD 0F AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SAME Filed Aug. 5. 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR.

Aug. 30, 1955 o. J. PoUPlTcH 2,716,247

HELICALLY COILED WASHER STRIP AND METHOD oF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SAME Filed Aug. 5, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Alll lll ug- 30, 1955 o. J. PouPlTcH 2,716,247

HELICLLY COILED WASHER STRIP AND METHOD OF' AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SAME 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 3, 1950 Aug. 30, 1955 o. J. PouPl'rcH 2,716,247

HELICALLY COILED WASHER STRIP ND METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SAME Filed Aug. 5, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 164 0g /65 514 I l I l 464 6 im ff 175 514 l l i-V 4 l i. MHH www n W United States Patent O HELICALLY COILED WASHER STRIP AND METH- 0D 0F AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SAME Ougljesa Jules Poupitch, Chicago, lll., assignor to Illinois 'Iool Works, Chicago, lll., a corporation of Illinois Application August 3, 1950, Serial No. 177,535 25 Claims. (Cl. 10-36) This invention relates to washer strips and more particularly to helically coiled washer strips and the method and apparatus for forming the same.

There is shown and described in my Patent No. 2,352,118, issued lune 20, 1944, a method of forming a strip of integrally attached washers and a spirally wound roll of washers formed from the described washer strip. In spirally wound rolls of the type disclosed in the above patent, each successive convolution or turn of the roll is slightly greater in diameter than the preceding convolution or turn, and as a consequence there is no possibility for corresponding washers in adjacent convolutions or turns to coincide or nest.

One consequence of the structure of a spirally wound roll described above is that the roll is unstable, i. e. the roll tends to unwind and the inner convolutions tend to be displaced laterally from the roll unless the roll is suitably supported. In addition, when the washers in the strip have projections formed thereon such as locking teeth or frusto-conical body portions, these projecting parts of corresponding washers in adjacent convolutions tend to become entangled. This entanglement seriously interferes with the unwinding of the roll, and when the roll is used in a high speed machine, there is a tendency of the washers to break apart at the points of joining. If the strip is broken during feeding to the machine, the machine must be shut down, the washers disentangled and the strip from the roll again manually fed into operative position.

Non-registration of washers in adjacent convolutions and particularly the non-registration of teeth, deformations on the body portion of the washer, and other projections cause adjacent convolutions to be held spaced apart and hence there is produced a loose roll which is relatively bulky for a given number of washers contained therein.

Some diiculty has heretofore been experienced in the heat treatment and hardening of washers in a spirally wound roll. Since corresponding washers in adjacent convolutions do not register or align, there are no unimpeded uid passages through the body of the roll which will admit the heating and hardening medium. In the case of toothed lock washers, certain of the teeth in the inner convolutions of a spirally wound roll, cannot be reached by the treating medium and consequently improper heat treatment of these teeth is obtained. If the teeth of a lock washer are not hardened, no locking action is obtained since the teeth can be readily twisted to a non-locking position.

The present invention overcomes the above disadvantages of a spirally wound roll of washers by providing a helically wound roll or coil of washers and a method and apparatus for forming such a roll or coil.

It is accordingly an important object of the present invention to provide, as aV new article of manufacture, a helically wound strip of washers, and more particularly, a helically and edgewise wound strip of integrally attached washers.

2,716,241 Patented Aug. 3o, 1955 It is another object of the invention to provide a helically wound roll of the type set forth in which the washers in the stacked convolutions of the roll register and are aligned, and more specifically, lto provide a roll in which the washers of all the convolutions are aligned in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the roll.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a helically wound roll of lock washers having portions projecting out of the plane of the body of the lock washers, the corresponding parts of Washers in adjacent convolutions nesting with each other.

Still another object is to provide a helically wound washer roll which is compact and stable, and which can be easily and effectively heat treated and hardened.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a helically wound roll of lock washers having continuous openings and channels formed therein.

A further object of the invention is to` provide a method and apparatus for forming a helically wound roll of washers from a strip of washer stock.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for forming a plurality of single strips from a multiple washer strip during the formation of the individual washers.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings wherein like reference numerals have been used to indicate like parts throughout:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a helically wound roll of washers made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention, the topmost convolution of the roll being shown in an upraised position for illustrative purposes;

Figure 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of the roll shown in Figure l and illustrates the manner in which the corresponding washers of the convolutions iit and nest one within the other;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary View in vertical section taken along the line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a portion of a convolution of the helically coiled roll of washers lshown in Figure l;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary, perspective view, similar to Figure 2, showing another form of washer coiled helically and showing the manner in which the teeth of washers in adjacent convolutions of the roll t and nest with each other;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary View in vertical section taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a further enlarged, fragmentary view illustrating the junction between adjacent washers in the washer strip shown in Figure 5 and particularly illustrating the manner in which the junction between the washers is bent to form a helical convolution;

Figure 8 is a plan view showing the manner in which a helically coiled strip of washers is packaged for storage and shipment;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a second form of support for a coiled strip made in accordance with the present invention;

. Figure l0 is a fragmentary plan view of an apparatus for forming a plurality of washer strips in a machine for helically coiling the washer strips;

Figure 1l is a plan View, partly in section, and diagrammatically illustrating a method and apparatus for forming a multiple strip of washers;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary View in vertical section, i1- lustrating diagrammatically the apparatus shown in Figures 10 and 11;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the lower 3. members of adjacent toothforming stripv positioned. thereon, and particularly illustrating the manner in which the interconnecting teeth of adjacent washers may be severed;

Figure; 14 is a`view in-.vertical sectiontaken along the Vline`14--'14V of Figure 13,'the` upper member-of the die 'being shown in operative position;

Figure 15 is a plan view of the tooth forming surface of one ofthe dies shown in Figure 13;

Figure y16 is a .view similar to Figure 14 and illustrating the manner in which the teeth joining adjacent washers inthe nished washer strip are formed;

Figure 17 is an enlarged view showing the manner in which adjacent washers in a straight washer strip are joinedk by tooth portions; v

Figure 18 is a side view in elevation of the coiling .mechanism 'shown in Figure 10,

Figure 19 is a fragmentary, enlarged perspective view of the winding mandrel shown in rFigure 18;

Figure'20 is a'fu'rther. enlarged partial plan view partly in cross section ofthe winding mandrel and slotted ring shown in Figure 19; l.

. Y Figure, 21 isa fragmentary, enlarged view in vertical section taken along the line 21-21 thereof;

Figure 22 is'an elevation view of the slotted ring shown in Figures 18-20;

Y,Figure `23 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view taken along the line 23-23 of Figure 20; Y

Figure 24 is a vertical cross sectional view similar to Figure 23 but showing a modied form of guide ring; and l Figure 25 is a fragmentary enlarged view illustrating thatthe washer roll is normally spaced away from the Winding drum after the rollV has been formed.

Referring now/to the drawings toFigure l, there is shown` an edgewise and helically wound roll or coil made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention. Roll 30 Vis formed from a strip 32 of integrally attached lock washers 34, the strip being best illustra-ted in Figure 4. vThe washer strip 32 may be made of any suitable material, a preferred material being metal.

As may be best seen in Figure 2, each washer 34 comprises an annular frusto-conoidal body 36 at the base of which is formed a laterally and outwardly extending portion 38 which lies in a plane substantially normal to the axis of the washer. The annular body 36 has an aperture 40. in the center thereof which is adapted to receive a cooperating element as is understood in the art.. Integrally attached .to portion 38 is a plurality of radially and outwardly extending teeth 42having their root portions lying in the planeof and integrally attached to portion 38. Each tooth has the radially extending edges thereof twisted out of the plane of portion 38, whereby .toprovide .biting edges which 'give a locking action when the washers are applied between a pair of work surfaces. Teeth of adjacent washers 36 are integrally connected as atl 44.whereby to join the adjacent washers 34 and thereby form the washer strip 32.

The washer strip 32 is bent or curved laterally substantially in its plane to form a plurality of convolutions or turns 46 which are stacked or placed one above another to form ythe coil 30. Each convolution 46 is coiled edgewise so that the inner edge is disposed towards the axis of the 'coil 30. Each convolution 46 has the same diameter and therefore the diameter of coil 30 is constant throughout the length thereof.

As shown in Figure 3, the inner diameter of portion 38 is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the Vupper edge of body 36 whereby the upper edge of body 36 nests within the. portion `38 of an adjacent washer. All the teeth 42 lof each washer' 34 are bent or deformed in the samemanner, and therefore the teeth of superimposed Vwashersare complementarily shaped. ItiwilllbeV seen that the bodies 36 and teeth 42 of superimposed washers 34 nest within each other and corresponding'portions thereof dies with a washerj and more particularly quent twisting and bending operations.

4 f f interlock when the washers 34 are aligned and superimposed. K Each and ev ry washer in coil 30 is aligned with and nests within the corresponding washers in adjacent convolutions. These aligned washers in adjacent convolutions form rows 48 whose axes extend substantially parallel to the axis of coil 30, the number of rows 48 in coil 30 corresponding to the number of washers 34 in each convolution 46.y The apertures 40 in the washers aligned in rows 48 form unimpeded channels or Vpassages which extend throughout the length of coil 30. The other corre-V sponding parts of the washers in rows 48,- including the frusto-conical bodies 36, portions 38, and the teeth 42 are similarly aligned. The parts of the washers which are disposed out of the plane of portion 38 nest and interlock in the manner described Aabove and best illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. This interlocking action of corresponding parts of washers in rows 48 eiectively prevents lateral displacement of convolutions 46 and thereby givesgreat structural stability to -the coil 30.l y

The provision of openings and channelsin coil 30 is particularly advantageous during heat treatment and hardening in that the treatingl medium can pass through coil 30 and come into Contact with each and everyportion of each washer therein. More specically, the treating medium can pass through the aligned apertures 40 of washers disposed in the axially extending rows 48 and through kthe channels formed by aligned interdental spaces of washers in row 48.` The intimate contact between the treating medium and all parts of each washer in coil 30 insures f proper treatment of each washer.

The .compact nesting of the-'washers in rows 4,8 produces a coil llallhaving a minimum` length for a given number of convolutions 4,6 and yfor a givengnumberjof washers contained therein. No entanglement between Y parts of adjacent washers is obtained when the `Washers are aligned and nested as shown in coil 30. The convolutions 46 of coil 30 are readily separated in a direction axially of coil 30 by simplylifting the convolutionsy46 axially from each other.` This unwinding of coil 30 is particularly important and advantageous when washers of coil 30 are to be'used as an input to a high speed machine. As hasV been explained before, the continuity of the coil 30 may be'broken if washers of adjacent convolutions become entangled.4 The present invention completely eliminates this possibility.

There is shown in Figures of toothed lock washers 50 `which canbe advantageously incorporated in an edgewise and helically. wound VV coil such as coil 30 of Figure 1. Any. suitable materialof construction, such as metal, may be used as stock to fabricate washer 50. Washer 50 ,comprises a generally at annular body 52 having an aperture 54 formed in the center thereof. integrally attached to and extending Aradially Vfrom body 52 is a plurality of teeth 56,.twelve teeth being shown for purposes lof illustration.. Each tooth 56 has the radiallyextending edges thereof twisted out of the plane of body 5,2 to form locking Vvor biting edges 58 which yengage the surfaces ;of work pieces associated with washer 50 whereby to .provide a locking action. This twisting of the edges of the teeth' 56 in conjunction with the subsequent lhardening of the teeth makes the junction between the teeth relatively frangiblewhereby the washers can `be removed from the strip by subse- Certain teeth of adjacent jwashers A50 are joinedftogether as at 60 to form strip 62'of integrally attached lock washers. The strip 62.is bent laterallyin the plane of the strip to Aform helical convolutions or turns similar to convolutions 46 described above. These convolutionscan be helically and edgewise wound to'form a coily similartocoil30.` k

The corresponding parts of washers in adjacent-conv'volutions are Valigned and nest against eachjotherinfa manner substantially-analogous to Vthat;described above 5, 6, and-7, asecond form n with respect to washers 34. More particularly, the bodies 52 and the teeth 56 are aligned in rows parallel to the axis of the coil. The teeth 56 interlock or nest whereby to give lateral stability to the formed coil. Alignment of bodies 52 also provides continuous channels through the coil since apertures 54 in the centers of bodies 52 will be aligned. Similarly the interdental recesses between adjacent teeth will form channels extending the length of the coil in a direction parallel to the coils axis. As a consequence, a helically and edgewise coil formed from a strip of washers 50 can be readily heat treated and hardened and can be readily unwound.

The washer strips 32 and 62 described above are generally formed with the centers of the washers in the strip disposed in a straight line in the plane of the strip. As will be described more fully hereinafter, a straight washer strip must first be bent laterally in the plane of the strip in Order to form an edgewise and helically wound coil. In the case of externally toothed Washers, such as washers 34 and 50, substantially all of the bending of the strip occurs at points 44 and 60 of strips 32 and 62 respecf tively, i. e., at the points of joining between the teeth of adjacent washers in the strip.

There is shown diagrammatically in Figure 7, the manner in which the bending occurs at the junction of adjacent teeth. There has been shown for the purposes of illustration a portion of the washer strip 62 comprising washers 50a and 50b but it is to be understood that a similar structure is found in washer strip- 32. The points 64 and 66 indicate respectively the centers of washers I 50a and 50b. The straight line interconnecting points 64-66 represents the line along which the centers of the teeth 56a and 56b are disposed before the strip 62 is bent. After bending strip 62, the centers of teeth 56a56b are displaced from the straight line interconnecting points 64-66 and this displacement produces a curvature in strip 62 laterally in the plane of strip 62. It will be apparent that in order to bend the material interconnecting teeth 56a and 56b in the manner described above, the edge marked 68 will tend to be elongated and the edge marked 70 will tend to be compressed or shortened. The elongation of edge 68 and the compression or shortening of edge 70 ordinarily causes the washer strip 62 to be bent out of the plane thereof, i. e., the elongated edge 68 tends to be moved upwardly or to be canted. A coil formed from convolutions in which the convolutions are canted is unsatisfactory and more particularly tends to be unstable. The method and apparatus to be described hereinafter provides means for correcting this tendency of the convolutions to cant inwardly toward the center of the coil.

In Figure 8 there is shown a carrying mandrel 72 used for storing and transporting coil 30, mandrel 72 is substantially circular in cross section and has an external diameter slightly greater than the internal diameter of coil 30. Mandrel 72 has recesses 74 formed on the periphery thereof which extend in a direction axially with respect to coil and mandrel 72, and which have a cross section which is shaped as an arc of a circle in order to receive the inner edges of the washers in coil 30. Mandrel 72 is preferably made of papier-mache.

An alternate structure for storing and transporting the helically and edgewise wound coil of washers is shown in Figure 9. The structure shown in Figure 9 comprises generally a pair of plates 76 and 78 which are interconnected by a plurality of rods 80. Plates 76-78 are annular in shape and have an internal diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of a washer coil and have an external diameter slightly greater than the external diameter of an associated washer coil.A The rods 80 have a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the apertures in the body of the washers, whereby the rods 80 can be passed through the channel formed by the aligned washers apertures. Plates 7678 are provided with apertures therein to f block receive the ends of rods 80, both ends of rods being provided with screw threads to receive nuts 82. The plates 76-78 are placed on either side of a coil and the rods 80 are inserted through aligned apertures of the Washers of the coil. The nuts 82 are then tightened whereby to press the plates 76-78 against the top and bottom of the coil. There is also shown in Figure 9 a handle which may be used to conveniently transport the coil and its associated xtures. The handle comprises a shank 84, a gripping portion 86, and a coil engaging portion 88 which fits under ring 78.

Referring now to Figure l0, there is shown an apparatus for forming a helically and edgewise wound coil of washers from a strip of washer stock 90. The forming and coiling mechanism comprises generally a punch press 92 and a coiling and winding mechanism 94. The formation and coiling of a washer strip of the type shown in Figures 5 and 7 are described for purposes of illustration. The same method can be used for forming and coiling a Washer strip of the type shown in Figure 4; the apparatus must be slightly modied to form the washer strip of Figure 4 by providing dies of the proper shape to extrude the frusto-conical body thereof.

Punch press 92 comprises a press bed 96 on which is mounted a lower die block 98, see Figure 12. Mounted above press bed 96 is the usual press head (not shown) on which is mounted an upper die support block 100 which carries the forming tools. A plurality of guide posts 102 are mounted on the lower die block 98 and extend through apertures in the upper die block 100 whereby to form guiding means for die block 100.

The strip of washer stock 90, usually metal, is fed intermittently by any suitable and appropriate mechanism (not shown) to the die block 9S. As strip 90 passes over die block 98, it is operated upon by a plurality of stamping dies 104, 106, and 108, a set of tooth forming dies 110, and positioning or piloting plungers 112. The dies and plungers 104 to 112 are suitably mounted on the upper die block 100 for simultaneous actuation by the downward movement of the press head. The lower ends of stamping dies 104-106 108 and plunger 112 are received by suitable apertures in 98, these apertures being complementary in shape and adapted to receive and guide the lower ends of these dies and plungers.

As may be best seen in Figure l1, the washer stock is of sufficient width to have formed therefrom simultaneously four washer strips 62, 62a, 6211, and 62e, which are positioned side by side and extend the length of the washer stock 90. The individual washers of each of the washers strips are aligned in a direction at an angle to the side edges of the stock 90. Accordingly, four sets of the dies and plungers 104 to 112 are provided whereby to simultaneously form four washer strips'.

As the washer stock 90 is fed to the die block 98, the leading edge thereof first encounters the stamping dies 104. Dies 104 are circular in cross section and cooperate with apertures in block 98 when the upper die block is lowered to punch form the opening in the center of the finished washers. The material so removed drops through an opening 114 formed in the die block 98. When the die block 100 is raised the stamping die 104 is removed from opening 114 and a stripper plate 116 is provided to insure that the die 104 is removed from the strip stock 90 before the stock 90 is advanced.

After the upper die block has been raised and the strip stock 90 advanced, the head is again lowered and the plungers 112 enter the apertures originally formed by dies 104. Plungers 112 comprise cylinders whose diameters are equal to the diameters of dies 104 whereby to ltit in the holes formed thereby. The ends of plungers 112 are rounded as at 118 and are received circular holes which -7 by openings 120 in die block 98. The length of 'plungers112 is slightly greater than the dies 104 to 110 whereby plungers 112 engage the strip stock 90 before the dies thereby accurately to control and determine the position of the strip with respect to the stamping dies before the dies operatively engage the strip stock 90.

The dies 106 may be referred to asV clover-leaf stamping dies since their cross .section is shaped similar to clover leaves. More particularly, each die 106 is is formed to provide 3 wings 122radiating from a central core 124 and are separated by recesses 126 complementary in shape to the washer teeth 56. Each wing 122 is defined by opposed arcuate edges corresponding to the arcuate edge 128, see Figure 17, between 'adjacent washer teeth and substantially straight adjacent edges corresponding to the opposed radial edges 130 of Veach washer tooth 56. The outermost stamping Vdie 106:1 is shaped differently whereby to complete the outer configuration of the washers formed along the lower edge of the stock 90 as viewed in Figure 1l.

The dies 108 are shaped the same as dies 106 but are oriented 180 degrees with respect to dies 106, i. e., they are rotated about their axes 180 degrees. In addition, the dies 108 are displaced laterally across the strip from dies 106 whereby to complete the external toothed configuration of all of the washers in the strip.

After the strip stock 90 leaves the dies 106, alternate teeth of each washer are integrally joined as at 132, 134, f

and 136. At this point in the formation of the washer strips all portions of teeth 56 lie in the plane of the Vstrip stock 90. v

Means is provided for forming theteeth whereby to produce biting edges and simultaneously severing the'connection points 134-136 between adjacent washer strips in the form of the tooth forming die 110 and insert 138 positioned in die block 98 and shaped complementary with respect to the operating face of forming die 110. As may be best seen in Figures 15 and 16, the faces of die 110 and insert 138 are provided with saw tooth-shaped projections 140 and 142,` respectively, ypresenting 'complementarily shaped recesses 144 and 146 respectively. The projections 140-142 have surfaces 148-150 formed thereon respectively which are positioned to normally mate as shown inl Figure 16 and the other side of the projections 140-142 are provided with surfaces 152-154 respectively, which are adapted to engage a tooth of a washer therebetween.

Two sets of projections 140akand 142a formed on die 110 and insert 138 respectivelyare rounded o for a purpose to be more fully explained hereinafter, These sets of projections 140a-142a are disposed on opposite ends of a diameter ofthe die 110 and this diameter of die 110 is aligned in a direction parallel with the axis of strip stock 90.

VThe projections 140-142 are further oriented in such a manner that the teeth 56 of the washers acted on by die 110 and insert 138 -lie between the surfaces 152-154. When the die 110 first engages a tooth 56, the plane of the tooth is disposed substantially normally to the axis of die 110 and therefore at an angle with respect to surfaces 152-154. As die 110 is further lowered, the surfaces 152-154 act to twist the teeth so that the surfaces of the teeth are substantially parallel to the surfaces 152-154. By thisrneans the edges of each washer are twisted out of the plane of strip stock and thereby form vthe biting edges described above which give the locking action when `the `lock washer isV used between two work pieces.

In addition to twisting the teeth 56, the die and its associated insert 138 serve to sever the connections at points 134vand 136. The manner in which this is accomplished is best understood, by referring to Figuresl3 and 14.V Figure 13 is an enlarged view of adjacent inserts 138. and 138a with a pair of washers `thereon'and shown in the condition obtained after die 110 has been lowered and raised. Tooth 56 has been twisted in one direction and tooth 56a has been twisted in the opposite direction as may be best seen in Figure 14. Twisting the teeth 56-56a in opposite directions inY addition to forming the teeth, tends to sever the material therebetween at point 132. The teeth joined at points134 and V136'are all sub` jected to a similar twisting and severing operation whereby to separate the teeth at these points. n

To form a strip of integrally attached washers, the con'- nection between the teeth at points 132 must be maintained after the stamping action of die 116.' To accomplish this the rounded projections 1740a-1`42a are oriented to engage these teeth as has been explained above. By rounding the projections 1.40a-142a the teeth engaged thereby are not twisted so farY as the teeth twisted by projections -142, and accordingly severance is not obtained at points 132. Although the material lbetween .the teeth at points 132 is not separated, the'strip is weakened at these points whereby to provide a weakened point which can be easily and'readily fractured to separate adjacent washers. Y

After the'aboveseries of operations, the stock 90 issues from the punch press in the form of four parallel strips 62, 62a, 62b, and 62C of toothed lock washers. The lock washers in each strip are connected to each other by bars or tooth connections at points 132 which are readily severable. The four strips` 62, 62a', 62h, and 62`c are preferably fed directly to individual winding mechanisms such as the one shown in Figures 18-24. Only one winding mechanism has been lshown for purposes of illustration but it is to be understood that each of the other three strips is wound in a similar manner.

f The strips 62 Vare shaped into a` helical coil by bending the substantially at strip laterally in the plane of the strip and then bending the strip out ofthe plane of the strip to form a plurality of convolutions. These convolutions are then stacked one .upon the other and preferably with corresponding washers' Yof adjacent convolutions placed in registration and nesting one within the other.

The winding mechanism shown in Figures 18 through 25 is adapted to perform the above operationsfupon strips 62 whereby to form a coil of the type shown in Figure l. This winding mechanism comprises generally a base 160, a winding drum or mandrel 162 rotatably mounted on the base, a slotted ring 164, and a tension roller 166 mounted im an arm 168 which is in'turn pivotally mounted as at Winding drum 162 is substantially cylindrical in shape and has one end thereof ixedly attached to support plate 172. The external diameter of drum 162 is equal to or slightly lessl than the diameter of the finished coilI to be wound thereon. A plurality of arcuate grooves or recesses 174 are formed around the outer periphery of drum v162 and extend in'a direction substantially parallel to the axis of drum 162 the entire length thereof. The curvature of grooves 174 is formedfcomplementary to the external shape of the washer strip which is to be wound thereon. The number of grooves corresponds to the number of washers to be contained in each convolution of the finished coil. A

As may be best seen in Figure 18, support plate 172 is greater in diameter than drum 162 whereby to accommodate and support a coil formed about drum 162.` Support plate 172 is in turn rotatably mounted upon a shaft 176, the shaft 176 being xedly mounted in base 160. Means is provided for rotating support plate and its associated parts in the form of a gear 178 attached thereto and mounted concentric with respect to shaft 176. Gear 178 is driven by a worm gear 180 which is supported on a shaft 182 journaled in a portion of base 160. Motive force for driving worm gear is obtained froma shaft 184 which is driven by the mechanism which drives and actuates press 92. Shafts'182-184 are drivingly interconnected by means of a connecting shaft 186 and a pair r of universal joints 188 and 190. By the above described avisan mechanism drum 162 can be driven at a uniform speed in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figures 19 and 2O and in synchronism with the operation of punch press 92.

Since the motion of the strip leaving the punch press is intermittent and the winding drum 162 rotates continuously, means is provided to give uniform tension on strip 62 at all times. Roller 166 provides the necessary tensioning means and serves to take up the slack in the washer strip 62 at all times whereby to continuously and smoothly feed the strip to the winding drum 162.

The slotted ring, generally designated by the numeral 164, operatively cooperates with winding drum 162 and forms a part of the winding mechanism. Ring 164 aids in bending strip 62 laterally in the plane of the strip, bends the strip downwardly out of the plane of the strip, guides the bent portion of the strip to the washer roll being formed, and serves to hold the formed and stacked washer convolutions in position during winding.

Ring 164 is annular in shape and has a circular internal aperture therein having a diameter slightly greater than the greatest diameter of winding drum 162. Two substantially radially extending surfaces 194 and 196 define the thickness of ring 164. The radial width of surface 194 is suicient to mount thereon the parts to be hereinafter described and the thickness of ring 164 is preferably slightly less than the radial width of the surface 194. Mounted on surface 194 and extending outwardly with respect to ring 164 is a support guide 198 whichisrsuitably attached to ring 164 such as by machine screws 200. As may be best seen in Figure 20, support guide 198 extends in a direction substantially transversely with respect to the linear portion of strip 92 which is being fed to the winding drum 162.

Means is provided for bending strip 62 laterally in the plane thereof in the form of bending roller 202 which cooperates with winding drum 162.

Bending roller 202 is mounted in a position opposite the point at which the washer stn'p 62 tangentially contacts the outer periphery of winding drum 162. Means is provided for rotatably mounting bending roller 202 in the form of a stud 204. Stud 204 includes a threaded portion 206 which is received in a threaded aperture in ring 164 and a head 208 which retains roller 202 in position. The external periphery of bending roller 202 has grooves or recesses 210 formed therein which are shaped substantially the same as recesses 174 in drum 162. More specifically, recesses 210 are shaped to conform with and receive the external periphery of a washer of the strip being wound.

Formed in ring 164 and positioned a short distance from bending roller 202 is a guide slot -212 which serves to bend strip 62 downward out of its plane and to guide the washers from the upper surface 194 after engagement with bending roller 202 to the lower surface 196. As may be best seen in Figure 22, the surfaces defining slot 212 lie in planes and these planes are inclined with respect to the upper and lower surfaces 194-196 when viewed from the side. In the form of slot shown in Figure 23, the surfaces defining the slot contain those radii disposed normally to the circumference of ring 164 extending through and perpendicular to the axis of the winding drum, i. e. these planes are normal with respect to the circumference of the drum. When winding certain types of washers it is desirable to incline the radial width of slot 212 with respect to the radii of the drum as shown by the form of the slot 212a in Figure 24. When the slot 212a is inclined with respect tothe radins thel outermost edge of the slot is preferably disposed below the innermost edge of the slot.

' Means is provided for holding ring 164 stationary with respect to base 160 when winding drum 162 is being rotated in the form of an arm 214 which extends therefrom and which is attached thereto. Arm 214 contacts an upstanding stationary post 216- which is in turn attached toV base 160. Engagement between arm 214 and post 216 in this manner generally designated by the numeral 224 positively prevents rotation of ring base 160 when drum 162 is rotated operation.

The operation of the winding mechanism is as follows: The formed washer strip 62 is fed from the forming die block 98 under the tension roller 166 to the support guide 19S. When a new coil is started the free end of strip 62 is manually passed between the bending roller 202 and the periphery of winding drum 162 across the upper surface 194 of ring 164 and down through the guide slot 212. One of the washers is engaged on a post 21S mounted on the support plate 172. Support plate 172 and the winding drum 162 mounted thereon are then rotated in a direction indicated by the arrows in Figures 19 and 2() by the drive mechanism including gears 178-180 and shafts 182, 184, and 186 from the press 92. At the beginning of a new coil the ring 164 is positioned adjacent the support plate 172. As the coil is formed the ring 164 s lifted by the coil.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 19 and 20, the manner in which a substantially straight washer strip 62, i. e., a washer strip in which the centers of each washer lie in a straight line in the plane of the washer, is bent into a convolution will be described. After the strip 62 passes across supportguide 196, it lies along and is supported by the upper surface 194 of ring 164. Strip 62 is substantially tangentially disposed with respect to the periphery of winding drum 162 and the forward edge of each washer first contacts the forward edge 220 of one of the grooves 174 in drum 162 and a projection 222 which denes one of the grooves 210 in roller 202. The edges of grooves 174 and 210 are so shaped as to receive the external periphery of a washer in strip 62.

The strip 62 is driven during the winding operation by the rotation of drum 162, ring 164 being held stationary by means of arm 214 acting against post 216. As the washers are driven past bending roller 202, roller 202 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow thereon. At rst the periphery of groove 210 which is disposed in a clockwise direction from projection 222 is slightly spaced away from the edge of the washer 56C engaged by projection 222. As winding drum -162 is rotated the periphery of this groove 210 will be gradually pressed and urged against the edge of washer 56C and will force this washer into the corresponding groove 174 in drum 162. The simultaneous engagement of washer 56C by the grooves 174 and 210 serves to bend the teeth joining washer 56e and the washer 56d which is attached thereto into the shape shown in Figure 7.

The winding drum 162 and the bending roller 202 engage each Washer of strip 62 individually whereby to bend and deform the interconnecting teeth and form a convolution. The diameter of the convolution formed is determined by the diameter of winding drum 162. Since the material from which strip 62 is fabricated is usually resilient, the convolutions tend to spring from the bent position and thereby form a convolution which is slightly greater in diameter than drum 162.

As has been explained above the strip is driven by engagement with the drum 162 and the roller 202. The portion of the strip 62 between roller 202 and the punch press is under tension, but the bent portion of the strip, in Figure 20, is not under tension and can therefore be so moved axially of the winding drum 162 in the grooves 164. After the bent portion 224 leaves the bending roller 202, it is guided by the upper surface 194 of ring 192 into the guide slot 212. The guide slot 212 keeps the bent washer strip 224 with its inner edge disposed toward the axis of the winding drum 162 and with the plane of the washer strip disposed substantially perpendicularly to the circumference or surface of the winding drum 162.

The guide slot 212 is effective to bend the strip out 164 with respect to during the winding 162. Consequently,

of the plane thereof and to transfer the bent washer strip 224 from the upper surface 194 of ring 164 to the lower surface 196 thereof. Each washer is guided in one of the grooves 174 in drum 162 throughout its path of travel across surface 194 and down through guide slot 212. After initial contact of the washers with the drum 162 adjacent the bending roller 202, each washer re mains associated with the Vadjacent groove 174 in drum as each washer leaves the guide slot 212 it is dropped in substantially exact registration on the washer of the preceding or lower convolution which is positioned in the same groove. In this manner registration andfnesting of each washer with the washers in adjacent convolutions is obtained.

After a convolution has passed through guide slot 212 the lowered surface v196 of ring 164 engages the upper surface of the convolution and holds the convolution in place until the next convolution is superimposed thereon. Successive convolutions are in effect stacked one upon another by the action of ring 164. Ring 164 is preferably formed of metal and Vtherefore heavy enough to press the convolutions against each other to keep them in an aligned and nesting relationship. As each additional convolutionV is deposited on the coil being formed, the ring 164 vis raised a distance equal to the thickness of a convolution.

After a coil of the desired height has been formed, the strip4 forming and coiling mechanism is stopped and the strip 62 is broken preferably adjacent the bending roller 202. The slotted ring 164 may then be removed from the top of the formed coil and the coil may then be removed from the winding drum 162. As was explained above, the natural resiliency in the washer strip results in convolutions which are slightly greater in diameter than the external diameter of winding drum 162 and therefore the coil may be readily lifted therefrom. Care must be exercised to insure that the free ends of the coil are secured to the coil so that premature unwinding of the coil axially thereof is not obtained.

With certain types of washer strips it is desirable to slant the guide slot in ring 162 in the manner illustrated in kFigure 24. The operation of such a slot is substantially the same as the operation of guide slot 212.

By the method and apparatus illustrated in Figures l through 24, an edgewise and helically coiled strip of integrally connected annuli such as washers may be formed from a strip of stock material. A plurality of wound coils may be formed from a single strip of stock material simultaneously by utilizing a, plurality of forming dies and a plurality of coiling mechanisms. The formed coil may be heat treated and 'hardened and the structure of the coil renders such heat treating or hardening processes particularly effective, i. e. the coil may be uniformly and satisfactorily heat treated and hardened.

Although certain forms of washer strips have been .used to illustrate the formation of the improved coil of the present invention, and while certain examples of washer strip forming and coiling apparatus and methods have been given for purposes of illustration, it is to be understood that various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only as set forth in the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows: l l. An article of manufacture comprising a.plurality of superimposed convolutions, each convolution including a strip of regularly spaced annuli connected by bars, the two halves of each bar being twisted inopposite directions to provide a weakened point of severance at the middle of each bar, the strip being bent primarily through such points of severance into said convolutions, each of said convolutions having substantially the same diameter. Y

2. A method of forming a coil from a strip of integrally attached washers comprising bending said strip laterally in the plane thereof to form a succession of convolutions, bending said strip transversely about an axis lying in the planeV of the strip, and bendingsaid convolutions out of the plane of the strip in a direction longitudinally of the strip to form helical convolutions having the same diameter and stacking said convolutions in superimposed relation with the corresponding washers of the convolutions positioned in alignment axially of the coil.

3. The method set forth-in claim 2, wherein the bending of the strip laterally in the plane thereof is eifected principally in the attachments between the washers.

4. An apparatus for forming a roll `from a strip of integrally attached washers comprising means for bending ysaid strip laterally in the plane thereof to form a succession of convolutions, means for bending said strip transversely about an axis strip, means for bending said convolutions out of the plane of the strip longitudinally of the strip to form helical convolutions having the same diameters, and means for placing said convolutions in superimposed relationship with the corresponding washers of superimposed convolutions aligned axially of the roll.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein the means for bending the strip laterally in the plane thereof comprises means for bending the attachments between said washers.

6. An apparatus for forming a coil from a strip of integrally attached washers comprising a winding drum, a laterally and outwardly extending flange formed on one end of said drum, the outer periphery of said drum having a plurality of recesses formed therein extending longitudinally of the drum, a ring surrounding said drum and mounted for movement in a direction axially of the drum, a bending roller mounted on said ring, periphery of said bending roller having recesses formed therein, the recesses in said drum and in said roller being shaped to receive a washer of said strip, means for rotating said drum relative to said ring, said drum and said bending roller being eective yto bend a washer strip positioned therebetween in a direction laterally in theplane of the washer strip,said ring having a slot therein extending from the upper surface of the ring to the lower surface of the ring, said slot being adapted to bend said washer strip downwardly out of the plane of the strip to form helical convolutions and to convey the bent portion of said strip from the bending station to a position below said ring, said yflange being adapted to support said convolutions, the recesses in said drum being adapted to align the corresponding washers in the superimposed convolutions in a direction axially of the drum, said ring being adapted to hold said convolutions in aligned superimposed relation.

7. An apparatus for forming a plurality of rolls of integrally attached toothed washers from a single strip of washer stock 'comprising means for forming a'plurality of strips of a plurality of washers from said washer stock, said washers having portions interconnecting ,the

washer teeth inldirections longitudinally and transversely of said washer stock, means for displacing some of the washer teeth to a limited extent from the plane of the' strip to weaken the longitudinal interconnections, means for displacing others of the washer teeth to a greaterl extent.from the plane of said strip for severing said transverse interconnecting portions to form a plurality of longitudinally extending strips of integrally attached washers, and a plurality of coiling means for individually coiling said washer strips edgewse intol helical rolls, each of said coiling means including means for bending said Vstrip ,laterally in the Vplane of said strip through the weakened longitudinal interconnections to form a plurality of convolutions, and means for placing said convolutions in superimposedrelation., Y f

8. Apparatus. for coiling a strip of integrallyattached annuli comprising a winding Vdrum having a plurality of lying in the plane of the` the- 13 i axially extending flutes of substantially the same diameter as said annuli, a ring surrounding said drum, means for effecting relative rotation between said ring and said drum, a bending roller rotatably mounted onsaid ring adjacent said drum and having a serrated periphery, said serrations being of substantially the same extent as the utes of the drum, said serrations and flutes engaging annuli between them for bending said strip principally at the attachments laterally in the plane of the strip about said winding drum into convolutions having a common diameter, and guide means on said ring for guiding said strip from said bending roller to a position below said ring whereby to wind said strip about said drum with the ring pressing against the last formed convolution of the strip.

9. A method of forming a helical coil of integrally attached washers which comprises forming a washer strip by removing from a strip of stock pieces of waste material complementary to a succession of washers and integral connections therebetween, bending said washer strip laterally in the plane thereof to form a succession of convolutions, bending said washer strip transversely about an axis lying in the plane of the washer strip, bending said convolutions out of the plane of the washer strip in a direction longitudinally of the washer strip to form helical convolutions having the same diameter, and stacking said convolutions in superimposed relation with the corresponding washers of the convolutions positioned in alignment axially of the coil.

10. A method of forming a helical coil as set forth in claim 9, wherein the step of forming the washer strip includes twisting teeth on the washers.

11. A method of forming a helical coil as set forth in claim 9, wherein a plurality of washer strips is formed simultaneously, including the further steps of removing pieces of waste material to form a succession of washers and lateral and longitudinal connections, and severing the lateral connections.

12. An apparatus for forming a coil of washers comprising means for removing from a strip of stock waste material complementary in form to a strip of washers having integral connections, means for bending said strip laterally substantially in the plane thereof to form a succession of convolutions, means for bending said convolutions from the plane of the strip to form helical convolutions, means for bending said strip laterally about an axis lying substantially in the plane of said strip, and means for placing the helical convolutions in superimposed relationship with the corresponding washers of superimposed convolutions aligned axially of the coil.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein the means for removing Waste material includes means for removing waste material complementary in form to a plurality of strips of washers having longitudinal and lateral connections, and further including means for severing the lateral connections to separate said strips.

14. An article of manufacture as set forth in claim l, wherein the annuli comprise lock washers having radially extending, twisted locking teeth arcuately spaced thereabout, the connecting bars comprising confronting locking teeth of adjacent washers.

15. An article of manufacture comprising a helically coiled washer strip, said strip comprising a plurality of washers connected by limited areas of twisted weakened stock adapted for eventual severing, the strip being laterally curved substantially in the plane thereof by being bent through the twisted weakened areas and forming a plurality of superimposed convolutions of equal diameter.

16. An article of manufacture as set forth in claim 15, wherein limited areas of weakened stock are of reduced cross sectional area relative to the immediately adjacent portions of the strip.

17. A method of forming a strip of attached lock washers into a coil of helical convolutions with the individual washers nested and aligned vertically, which method comprises feeding the stri laterally bendingthe strip substantially in the plane thereof by engaging the individual washers at one side thereof to confine themin spaced guideson a curvilinearly movable guide means at the. opposite side of the strip, and thereafter bending the strip, laterally :out of the plane thereof to form a plurality of convolutions while maintaining the individual washers in the spaced guides.

18. A method of forming a helical coil of integrally attached toothed washers which comprises forming a washer strip by removing from a strip of stock pieces of waste material complementary in form to a succession of washers and integral connections therebetween, laterally bending the strip substantially in the plane thereof by engaging the individual washers at one side thereof to conline them in spaced guides on a curvilinearly movable guide means at the opposite side of the strip, and thereafter bending the strip laterally out of the plane thereof to form a plurality of convolutions while maintaining the individual washers in the spaced guides.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the step of forming the washer includes twisting the teeth on the washers.

20. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein a plurality of washer strips is formed simultaneously, including the further steps of removing pieces of waste material to form a succession of washers with lateral and longitudinal connections, and severing the lateral connections.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the means for bending the strip transversely about an axis lying in the plane of the strip comprises a guideway engaging opposite faces of the strip.

22. Apparatus for forming a helical coil of integrally attached washers which comprises means for feeding a strip of washers along a predetermined path, means adjacent the predetermined path for bending the strip laterally substantially in the plane thereof and including a uted drum and means for pressing each individual washer into a flute on the drum as the strip is fed therebetween, and means adjacent the lateral bending means for bending the laterally bent strip out of the plane thereof to form a plurality of helical convolutions.

23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein there is provided means adjacent the lateral bending means for twisting the strip of washers about an axis extending generally longitudinally of the strip.

24. Apparatus for forming a coil of washers comprising means for removing from a strip of stock waste material complementary in form to a strip of Washers having integral connections, means for feeding a strip of washers along a predetermined path, means adjacent the predetermined path for bending the strip laterally substantially in the plane thereof and including a iluted drum and means for pressing each individual washer into a flute on the drum as the strip is fed therebetween, and means adjacent the lateral bending means for bending the laterally bent strip out of the plane thereof to form a plurality of helical convolutions.

25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the means for removing the waste material includes means for removing waste material complementary in form to a plurality of strips of washers having longitudinal and lateral connections, and also including means for severing the lateral connections to separate the strips.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 183,616 Woodward Oct. 24, 1876 307,777 Leggo Nov. 11, 1884 795,794 Gaines July 25, 1905 801,375 Glading Oct. 10, 1905 (Other references on following page) 

